The Grand County High School girls basketball team lost a defensive battle at home to Monticello last week, falling to the Lady Buckaroos by the score of 20-15.

“We played a lot better, with more intensity, and we took better care of the ball,” said GCHS head coach Rick Lopez of the Nov. 27 contest. The Lady Devils had lost to Green River by 25 points the previous week.

“We played really good defense, but we just need to get more aggressive in scoring,” added Lopez.

Both teams shot poorly from the field throughout the mistake-filled contest, which featured numerous turnovers and fouls in addition to the many missed shots. Monticello made just 8-of-28 from the free throw line during the game, while Grand converted 5-of-12 of its free throws.

The game was close throughout, with Monticello leading just 9-8 at halftime and 14-13 at the end of the third quarter.

GHCS senior Kenzie Taysom suffered a knee injury in the second half and is out for the season, according to the Lady Devils’ coach. Coach Lopez said that Taysom tore a ligament in her knee.

Three other Grand players had fouled out by the end of the contest, with Alena Geiser, Madi Jones, and Chacon. “But the second half we put out a little more pressure, which was enough for us to come ahead and win by one.”

Grand’s varsity team had a tougher time Friday, Nov. 30, when the Red Devils played their first home game against the Gunnison Bulldogs. Grand lost that contest 48-36.

The Red Devils opened strong, outscoring the formidable Bulldogs 13-12 in the first quarter, but Gunnison outscored Grand in the second quarter to take a 21-19 lead at the half.

As the third quarter opened, Grand’s game fell apart, and numerous fouls caused the Red Devils a lot of trouble as the Bulldogs took a decisive 39-23 lead. While Grand outscored Gunnison in the final quarter of the game, it just wasn’t enough to pull out a win, and the Red Devils lost 48-36.

It wasn’t all bad, though, as several of Grand’s players had strong games. Junior Koi Cook scored 12 points for the Red Devils, and Walker added 11. Cook was later named MaxPreps’ Player of the Game, in that contest.

“We played a really, really good game,” said Clark. “And as a whole I think our defense did really, really good. We just had a very poor third quarter and we didn’t execute the plays we should have.

“Another thing that I think contributed was that we only got 20 rebounds the entire game, which is quite a few less than we had at Green River. In addition, Gunnison had 34 free-throws, while we shot seven, which I think means that we didn’t get the calls, or we really need to do a better job of taking the ball to the basket and not getting fouled up.

“But, Koi [Cook] played a great game. He had seven rebounds, was named player of the game … I think he just did an excellent job and even with the loss I’m really happy with how our team played.”

The Red Devils are on the road Thursday and Friday, Dec. 6 and 7, in Parowan and Beaver. On Tuesday, Dec. 11, Grand will have its second home game, against Green River. Varsity play for all three games begins at 7 p.m.

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